A Long Line of Strangers. A brilliant lyric!

LONG lINE OF STRANGERS 1969 July by Roxy Dawn

I turn my mental eyes behind me, Looking down the corridor of years And I see there in succession the many different people I have been. And though I know their secrets and the Reasons of their laughter and their tears And though I know the smallest detail of the lives of every one of them And can tell you just how each one came to be - It's a long line of strangers that I see.

Oh, when I was the first I thought then That I knew her very well indeed Until I was the second, then I realized I knew her not at all. And when I was the second I thought I knew well who I was meant to be Until I was the third, when I discovered that the second was too small. Then I was the fourth and looking back on three - And it's a long line of strangers that I see.

I realize my days are numbered For I know that I must change again, As I stand here an observer, apart from those I once thought to be me. And when tomorrow's sun is rising, I will know then only who I've been And some of them I will be turning from in shame and for some I will sing And for others of them I can only weep, In the long line of strangers that I see.

No use to cry ln bitter anguish That you know not your identity For just when you begin to think you know yourself, you'll find that you have changed And your despairing search can only fail - Much better just to learn to be. For by the very act of understanding, you'll no longer be the same. And you question what your future is to bring - Well, it's a long line of strangers that you'll see.

Yes - it's a long line of strangers that you'll see.

Copyright © 2001 The Rainbow Collection Ltd